• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 1992

Twelve male crossbred calves of 18 months of age were divided into two groups of six each. Animals in both the groups were fed wheat straw ad lib. However, animals in group II had free access to urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) lick. Straw DM intake (kg/100 kg B. Wt. and $g/w^{0.75}\;kg$) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in group II ($1.95{\pm}0.06$; $75.55{\pm}1.79$) as compared to group I ($1.27{\pm}0.08$; $48.77{\pm}2.43$). Straw DM digestibility coefficient was not significantly different in groups I and II. However, DOMI (kg/100 kg B. Wt.) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in group II ($0.986{\pm}0.05$) as compared to group I ($0.615{\pm}0.03$). Digestibility coefficient of DM, OM and CP were significantly higher in group II as compared to group I. However, digestibility coefficients of EE, CF and NFE were non-significantly different between the two groups. Animals in group II exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher and positive N, Ca and P balances as compared to group I which exhibited negative balances. Total-N, ammonia-N and urea-N in the blood plasma of animals in group II were significantly (p < 0.01) higher as compared to group I.

• 한국임상수의학회지
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to evaluate the rate of twin pregnancy and parturition in dairy cows. Calving records of Holstein dairy cows from 1998 to 2009 comprising Goyang and Paju cities herd with 20,990 calving events representing 820 twin births were used to evaluate twinning rate, calf sex ratio, periods of pregnancy and complication after parturition in single and twin births. Overall, the reported twinning rate was 3.9% in Holstein dairy cows. Rate of bicornual pregnancy (75%) was larger than that of unicornual pregnancy (25%) among cows having twin. Regardless of parity, the greatest twinning rate was observed in fall season from September to November. Calf sex ratios (male, M; female, F) were 48.0% FM, 28.9% MM, 21.5% FF and 0.9% mummifications for twin calves. Parturition type among cows having twins included normal (4.7%), premature (66.9%), delayed (9.2%), abortion (18.4%) and mummification (0.8%). The period of pregnancy in twin pregnancy (mean 272.6 days) was shorter than single pregnancy (mean 278.1 days). The retained placenta after parturition was over fourth times such as twin parturition (34.8%) higher than single parturition (8.5%) and the abomasal displacement was over two times such as twin parturition (10.2%) higher than single parturition (4.9%). The distribution of twin pregnancy with parities was high rate during the 2~3 parities. The prevalence of complication such as retained placenta and abomasal displacement with twin parturition revealed higher than single parturition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제12권3호
• /
• pp.336-340
• /
• 1999

Age at maturity was studied in 661 Nili Ravi buffaloes maintained at six dairy farms in Pakistan. The mean age at maturity in the overall data from the six farms was $976.49{\pm}9.2$ days. Significantly lower mean age at maturity $(957.93{\pm}10.68\;days)$ was observed at Military Dairy Farm, Khyber Okara, Military Daiiy Farm, Punjnad and Livestock Research Station, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Group I) compared to $(1015.26{\pm}17.39\;days)$ other three Military Dairy Farms, Peshawar, Nowshera and Rawalpindi (Group II). The advantages associated to early age at maturity were as following. Male and female calves were heavier $(38.35{\pm}0.17\;and\;31.84{\pm}15kg,\;respectively)$ in Group I as compared to $(29.27{\pm}0.26\;and\;26.27{\pm}0.26kg)$ in Group II. Milk yield per lactation was significantly higher in Group I $(1912{\pm}12\;lit.)$ as compared to $(1833.36{\pm}16.56\;lit.)$ in Group II. Lactation length was significantly longer $(284.41{\pm}1.23\;days)$ in Group I as compared to $(277.77{\pm}2.02\;days)$ in Group II. Dry period and service period were significantly shorter $(241.59{\pm}4.18\;and\;217.05{\pm}4.95\;days,\;respectively)$ in Group I as compared to $(306.39{\pm}78\;and\;280.95{\pm}9.32\;days)$ in Group II. The mean age at first calving and sex ratio were low ($1282.75{\pm}10.14$ days and 100 ♀ ♀:130.7 ♂ ♂) in Group I as compared to ($1308.7{\pm}16.44$ days and 100 ♀ ♀:152.15 ♂ ♂) in Group II but the differences were non significant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제29권7호
• /
• pp.971-978
• /
• 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing corn grain for sugar cane molasses (MO) or glucose syrup (GS) in the starter concentrate on performance and metabolism of dairy calves. Thirty-six individually housed Holstein male calves were blocked according to weight and date of birth and assigned to one of the starter feed treatments, during an 8 week study: i) starter containing 65% corn with no MO or GS (0MO); ii) starter containing 60% corn and 5% MO (5MO); iii) starter containing 55% corn and 10% MO (10MO); and iv) starter containing 60% corn and 5% GS (5GS). Animals received 4 L of milk replacer daily (20 crude protein, 16 ether extract, 12.5% solids), divided in two meals (0700 and 1700 h). Starter and water were provided ad libitum. Starter intake and fecal score were monitored daily until animals were eight weeks old. Body weight and measurements (withers height, hip width and heart girth) were measured weekly before the morning feeding. From the second week of age, blood samples were collected weekly, 2 h after the morning feeding, for glucose, ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate and lactate determination. Ruminal fluid was collected at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age using an oro-ruminal probe and a suction pump for determination of pH and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). At the end of the eighth week, animals were harvested to evaluate development of the proximal digestive tract. The composition of the starter did not affect (p>0.05) concentrate intake, weight gain, fecal score, blood parameters, and rumen development. However, treatment 5MO showed higher (p<0.05) total concentration of SCFAs, acetate and propionate than 0MO, and these treatments did not differ from 10MO and 5GS (p>0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that the replacement of corn by 5% or 10% sugar cane molasses or 5% GS on starter concentrate did not impact performance, however it has some positive effects on rumen fermentation which may be beneficial for calves with a developing rumen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제20권6호
• /
• pp.866-871
• /
• 2007

Testis-specific protein (TSPY) is a Y-specific gene, with up to 200 copy numbers in bulls. In order to make bovine embryo sexing under farm condition more feasible, the possibility of using a non-electrophoretic method to detect the TSPY gene for sexing bovine early embryos was examined. Primers were designed to amplify a portion of the TSPY gene and a common gene as an internal control primer. PCR optimization was carried out using a DNA template from bovine whole blood. Furthermore, embryo samples were diagnosed by this method and the sexing results were contrasted with those of the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method. The results showed that TSPY was as reliable a sexing method as LAMP. Forty-three morula and blastocyst embryos collected from superovulated donor dairy cattle were sexed by this method, and twenty-one embryos judged to be female embryos were transferred non-surgically to recipients 6 to 8 days after natural estrus. Out of 21 recipients, 9 were pregnant (42.86%) and all delivered female calves. The results showed that the sex predicted by this protocol was 100% accurate. In conclusion, the TSPY gene was a good male specific marker and indicated that a non-electrophoretic method was feasible and accurate to detect the TSPY gene for sexing preimplantation bovine embryos.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제21권12호
• /
• pp.1745-1752
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to compare the growth performance and carcass evaluation of Jeju native cattle (JNC) and its crossbreds (CBK = 25 JNC: 50 Charolais: 25 Brahman and BCBK = 62.5 JNC: 25 Charolais: 12.5 Brahman) fed for a short fattening period. Eight male calves each of JNC (80.$40{\pm}10$), CBK ($113.50{\pm}12.3$), and BCBK ($100.3{\pm}9.5$) were weaned at 4 month of age and were fed similar diets for 18 months of their age. All animals were fed a growing ration until 12 months of age and thereafter switched to a fattening ration for a period of 6 months. Final body weight (BW) and BW gain were significantly higher in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. The CBK and BCBK gained 27.42% and 25.99% more BW, respectively, compared with JNC. The CBK and BCBK animals consumed significantly less DM than JNC to gain a unit of BW. Body weight gain, DM intake and feed conversion efficiency were similar between CBK and BCBK. Weight of hot and cold carcass, ribs, boneless meat and Longissimus dorsi muscle area were significantly different among JNC and its crossbreds. The heaviest carcass was observed in CBK followed by BCBK and JNC. Carcass, chest and femur lengths were greater in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. Chest width, chest depth and hip width were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Femur width was significantly greater in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC. Femur depth and chest girth were significantly greater in CBK and BCBK compared with JNC. Weight and fat yield in different carcass cuts were greater in crossbreds compared to JNC. Percent moisture, crude ash, and crude protein of meat were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Percent crude fat in beef was significantly greater in JNC compared with its crossbreds. Beef shear force value, percent water holding capacity, juiciness and tenderness were significantly greater for JNC compared to its crossbreds. In conclusion, CBK and BCBK have shown greater growth rates and produced heavier carcasses with good degree of fatness when compared with JNC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제20권12호
• /
• pp.1909-1916
• /
• 2007

This study compared the growth performance and carcass evaluation of Jeju native cattle (JNC) and its crossbreds (CBK = 25 JNC:50 Charolais:25 Brahman and BCBK = 62.5 JNC:25 Charolais:12.5 Brahman). Eight male calves of each JNC, CBK and BCBK were weaned at 4 month of age and were fed for 24 months of age. All animals grazed a pasture between 5 to 10 months of age then they were fed growing ration at the rate of 1.5% of their BW along with ad libitum supply of Italian ryegrass hay between 11 to 16 months of age and thereafter switched to ad libitum feeding of finishing ration and hay between 17 to 24 months of age. Mean body weight (BW) and BW gain were higher in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC at 4, 10, 16 and 24 months of age. Average daily BW gain during 4 to 10 months of age was the highest for CBK followed by BCBK and JNC. However, daily BW gain was higher in BCBK than in CBK and JNC during 11 and 16 months of age. During fattening period (17 to 24 months) average daily BW gain was higher in JNC than in CBK and BCBK. Slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weight were higher in CBK compared with JNC and BCBK. Weight of bones, boneless meat, ribs, excluded rib meat, retailed cut meat, tender loin, sir loin, strip loin, sticking, top round, bottom round, fore leg, shank, and thin-flank were higher in CBK than in BCBK and JNC. Fat weight in these carcass cuts and kidney fat was similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Logissimus dorsi and its ratio were higher in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC. Percent moisture, crude protein, and ash contents of beef were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Percent beef fat was higher in JNC and BCBK than in CBK. Cooking loss and water holding capacity of beef was similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Sheer force was lower in BCBK compared with JNC and CBK. Juiciness, tenderness and flavor of beef were higher in BCBK compared with JNC and CBK. In conclusion, CBK has shown higher growth rate and produced heavier carcasses with good degree of fatness compared with JNC and BCBK. However, fattening for longer period could increase the maintenance cost in CBK and BCBK because of their higher BW which they attained during growing period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제31권7호
• /
• pp.1007-1016
• /
• 2018

USA beef production is characterized by a diversity of climates, environmental conditions, animal phenotypes, management systems, and a multiplicity of nutritional inputs. The USA beef herd consists of more than 80 breeds of cattle and crosses thereof, and the industry is divided into distinct, but ofttimes overlapping sectors, including seedstock production, cow-calf production, stocker/backgrounding, and feedlot. Exception for male dairy calves, production is predominantly pastoral-based, with young stock spending relatively brief portions of their life in feedlots. The beef industry is very technology driven, utilizing reproductive management strategies, genetic improvement technologies, exogenous growth promoting compounds, vaccines, antibiotics, and feed processing strategies, focusing on improvements in efficiency and cost of production. Young steers and heifers are grain-based diets fed for an average of 5 months, mostly in feedlots of 1,000 head capacity or more, and typically are slaughtered at 15 to 28 months of age to produce tender, well-marbled beef. Per capita beef consumption is nearly 26 kg annually, over half of which is consumed in the form of ground products. Beef exports, which are increasingly important, consist primarily of high value cuts and variety meats, depending on destination. In recent years, adverse climatic conditions (i.e., draught), a shrinking agricultural workforce, emergence of food-borne pathogens, concerns over development of antimicrobial resistance, animal welfare/well-being, environmental impact, consumer perceptions of healthfulness of beef, consumer perceptions of food animal production practices, and alternative uses of traditional feed grains have become increasingly important with respect to their impact on both beef production and demand for beef products. Similarly, changing consumer demographics and globalization of beef markets have dictated changes in the types of products demanded by consumers of USA beef, both domestically and abroad. The industry is highly adaptive, however, and responds quickly to evolving economic signals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제33권10호
• /
• pp.1544-1557
• /
• 2020

Objective: Genomic selection (GS) is becoming popular in animals' genetic development. We, therefore, investigated the single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) as tool for GS, and compared its efficacy with the traditional pedigree BLUP (pedBLUP) method. Methods: A total of 9,952 males born between 1997 and 2018 under Hanwoo proven-bull selection program was studied. We analyzed body weight at 12 months and carcass weight (kg), backfat thickness, eye muscle area, and marbling score traits. About 7,387 bulls were genotyped using Illumina 50K BeadChip Arrays. Multiple-trait animal model analyses were performed using BLUPF90 software programs. Breeding value accuracy was calculated using two methods: i) Pearson's correlation of genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) with EBV of all animals (r_M1) and ii) correlation using inverse of coefficient matrix from the mixed-model equations (r_M2). Then, we compared these accuracies by overall population, info-type (PHEN, phenotyped-only; GEN, genotyped-only; and PH+GEN, phenotyped and genotyped), and bull-types (YBULL, young male calves; CBULL, young candidate bulls; and PBULL, proven bulls). Results: The r_M1 estimates in the study were between 0.90 and 0.96 among five traits. The r_M1 estimates varied slightly by population and info-type, but noticeably by bull-type for traits. Generally average r_M2 estimates were much smaller than r_M1 (pedBLUP, 0.40 to0.44; ssGBLUP, 0.41 to 0.45) at population level. However, r_M2 from both BLUP models varied noticeably across info-types and bull-types. The ssGBLUP estimates of r_M2 in PHEN, GEN, and PH+ GEN ranged between 0.51 and 0.63, 0.66 and 0.70, and 0.68 and 0.73, respectively. In YBULL, CBULL, and PBULL, the r_M2 estimates ranged between 0.54 and 0.57, 0.55 and 0.62, and 0.70 and 0.74, respectively. The pedBLUP based r_M2 estimates were also relatively lower than ssGBLUP estimates. At the population level, we found an increase in accuracy by 2.0% to 4.5% among traits. Traits in PHEN were least influenced by ssGBLUP (0% to 2.0%), whereas the highest positive changes were in GEN (8.1% to 10.7%). PH+GEN also showed 6.5% to 8.5% increase in accuracy by ssGBLUP. However, the highest improvements were found in bull-types (YBULL, 21% to 35.7%; CBULL, 3.3% to 9.3%; PBULL, 2.8% to 6.1%). Conclusion: A noticeable improvement by ssGBLUP was observed in this study. Findings of differential responses to ssGBLUP by various bulls could assist in better selection decision making as well. We, therefore, suggest that ssGBLUP could be used for GS in Hanwoo proven-bull evaluation program.